Flow of the Day: The itinerary is designed to maximize our experience with the great diversity of birdlife and ecosystems that Argentina offers. We won’t, however, be rushing from place to place to chase the largest species list possible. Our goal is to spend time appreciating the species we encounter at an enjoyable pace. Birding walks begin in the early morning, and we travel slowly to allow for the best bird and wildlife encounters.

While this is primarily a birding trip, we will also take time to enjoy the culture, the great food, and intriguing history. Marine mammals also feature prominently, with visits to a sea lion rookery and a whale watch at the Valdez Peninsula

Pre-tripping in Buenos Aires is encouraged! If you’d like some advice and where to go, talk to Chip about options.

Afternoon plans typically allow for some afternoon rest time at the lodges, though this is not always feasible when we are transferring between lodges and landscapes.

Climate: Temperatures will vary considerably with daytime highs in the 80’s in Iguazu and 50’s in Ushuaia. The periods of rain are likely throughout the country. We’ll need to be prepared for very varied conditions.

Clothing: Pack light field clothing of neutral colors. Bring several pairs of long pants and comfortable, light, airy shirts. Long-sleeved (relaxed fit) shirts are useful for protection from the sun, as is a light hat or cap. Good rain gear is essential, and a small umbrella is also recommended. Be sure to have a pair of comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, plus a second pair of tennis shoes or sandals. A sweater or fleece is important for southern Patagonia. You may want more casual clothing for traveling or dinners. A small washcloth and handkerchiefs will be helpful.

Equipment: Bring a pair of binoculars, a field guide and a camera with extra batteries. The guides will have two spotting scopes. Pack sunglasses and sunscreen, a small flashlight or headlamp, a small alarm clock (a smartphone will work), insect repellent, a small daypack, and a small folding stool if you get tired standing for long periods observing birds and other wildlife. We will also supply a lengthier suggested packing list.

Health Considerations: Please consult your physician before the trip for any recommended immunizations. Mosquitoes can sometimes be a nuisance in northern Argentina. We suggest a stick-type repellent for your face and hands, plus at least one pump-style container of repellent for your clothing. As for foods, all salads, dairy products and meals at the different lodges are perfectly safe to eat. Bottled water is provided while on tours.

Participants should be able to hike on moderate terrain up to 3 miles per day, and be ready to expect conditions that may be hot, cold, dry, wet, or anything in-between.

Transportation: The land transportation is in a comfortable coach. Given the large distances we’ll be covering, there will also be several in country flights.

Our NBNC guide is NBNC's Birding Ambassador and "emeritus" Executive Director Chip Darmstadt. Chip has guided NBNC excursions to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Spain, Ecuador, as well as stateside locations like Magee Marsh and Cape May for over 25 years. Chip has a particular fondness for neotropical birds and had the pleasure of exploring Argentina in 2019.

North Branch Nature Center will be partnering with Clark Expediciones, based in Salta, Argentina. Founder Ricardo Clark has been a force behind conservation of the imperiled Yungas forests in the northern Andes. We will be joined by expert in-country bird guides, arranged by Clark Expediciones, throughout our entire adventure.

Please see day-by-day itinerary for details. Lodging ranges from nice 4-star hotels in Buenos Aires to comfortable lodges in rural areas.

The trip cost includes:

• Pre-departure orientation gathering (virtual)
• Expert NBNC guide
• In-country expert, English-speaking bird guide
• All accommodations starting and ending in Buenos Aires
• Entrance fees to parks and boat rides
• Comfortable, private transportation throughout the trip, including airport transfers
• Bottled water, available at all times
• All meals during the trip starting and ending in Buenos Aires.
• Domestic (in Argentina) flights are included

The trip cost does not include:

• Airfare to and from Argentina
• Transportation to/from airports in the US
• Cancellation (trip) insurance
• Alcoholic beverages, snacks and other incidentals
• Extra hotel services, such as laundry
• Guide gratuities

Ready to go to Argentina?
Email [email protected] to get signed up.

Payment Schedule

• A $500 deposit is required to reserve your space on the trip.
• 50% of the trip balance ($2375) will be due 6 months before the departure date (May 3 2023).
• Single travelers must include the single supplement fee ($530) with this payment. Single rooms are limited on this itinerary, so please confirm with us that your request for a single room can be accommodated before sending payment.
• The remaining trip balance ($2375) will be due 3 months before the departure date (August 3 2023).

All payments can be made via check to: North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Cancellation Policies

We understand that incidents and emergencies arise that may force you to cancel your trip. However, NBNC invests considerable time and, in many cases, non-refundable payments to lodges and local contractors to secure our rooms and programming. NBNC aims to be as flexible as possible in our refund policy, but a full refund of your payments may not be possible after the dates indicated. All cancellations must be made via email to NBNC.

• Cancellation more than 180 days before the trip: Full refund of all payments.

• Cancellation 90-180 days before the trip: Refund of any payments minus the $500 deposit. If your space is filled by another traveler, we will also refund your deposit.

• Cancellation 30-90 days before the trip: No refund guaranteed. If your space is filled by another traveler, we will provide a full refund minus the $500 deposit.

• Cancellation less than 30 days before the trip: No refunds guaranteed.